JP2023036476A - Prize exchange device and prize exchange program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a prize exchange device and a prize exchange program capable of reporting to an employee when processing is not completed even if fixed time passes.SOLUTION: A prize exchange device 90 comprises: information acquisition means 94 capable of acquiring predetermined information correlated with a recording medium received from a player; clocking means 99 capable of clocking time when predetermined information is acquired by the information acquisition means 94; and control means 99 capable of executing specific control for executing notification of specific information when prize exchange processing is not completed when time clocked by the clocking means 99 reaches specific time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a prize exchange device and a prize exchange program.

When a recording medium such as a card is removed from a gift exchange device used by an employee, a camera is used to photograph the face image of the person who removed the recording medium. In some cases, it is assumed that a player who has inserted a recording medium into the prize exchange device has forgotten to remove the recording medium, and a function is disclosed that notifies the user of the fact that the recording medium has been forgotten (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-165901 A

However, conventional prize exchange devices have room for improvement.

In order to achieve the above object, the prize exchange device of the present invention uses a recording medium received from a player to perform an operation for a prize exchange process by the player. information acquiring means capable of acquiring predetermined information associated with a recording medium accepted from a person; clocking means capable of clocking time when predetermined information is acquired by said information acquiring means; and said clocking means a control means capable of executing specific control for notifying the specific information when the timed time reaches the specific time and the prize exchange process is not completed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a game arcade system; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a premium|prize exchange apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of an employee-side screen when switching to the self-POS mode; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a player-side screen in the self-POS mode when a general card is inserted; 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a player-side screen following FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a player side screen in the self POS mode when a member card is inserted; 10 is a flowchart showing incomplete timing processing; It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the player side screen which displays specific information. 7 is a flowchart showing release processing;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
The game hall system 1 according to this embodiment operates by a computer controlled by a program (prize exchange program).
The amusement center system 1 is realized by specific means in which a program and a computer cooperate, and all or part of the program is provided by a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or any other computer-readable storage medium. and the program read from the storage medium is installed in the computer and executed.
It should be noted that the program can also be directly loaded into a computer through a communication line without using a storage medium and executed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game hall system 1 includes a game machine 10, a game medium lending machine 20, a machine management device 30, an island management device 40, a parent island management device 50, a game hall management device 60, a counting device 70, and a member management device. It is composed of a device 80, an intercom 85a, a remote control 85b, a gift exchange device 90, etc., and these devices are connected via a predetermined network (for example, a local area network).
The game arcade system 1 having such a configuration functions as a prize exchange system for exchanging for prizes according to the number of game media such as game balls or medals acquired by the player playing the game. there is
Each device constituting the game arcade system 1 will be described below.

The gaming machine 10 is a device for playing games using game media, such as a pachinko machine 10a using game balls or a slot machine 10b using medals as game media.
The gaming machines 10 are installed for each model and each lending rate.
For example, the pachinko machine 10a is installed at a 4-yen corner where the lending rate of 1 game ball is 4 yen/ball, or a 1-yen corner where the lending rate of 1 game ball is 1 yen/ball.
The slot machine 10b is installed in a 20-yen corner where the lending rate of one medal is 20 yen/piece, and a 5-yen corner where the lending rate of one medal is 5 yen/piece.
The game machine 10 may be a so-called enclosed game machine (managed game machine) configured so that the player cannot touch the game medium.

The game medium lending machine 20 (20a is a ball lending machine, 20b is a token lending machine) is a device that lends out game media to a player, and counts and counts the game media acquired in the attached gaming machine 10. It refunds game media, lends game media according to the amount of money inserted, and issues storage media specifying the counted number of game media and the balance of the amount of money inserted.

The machine management device 30 is an information processing device that relays and processes various types of information. Acts as a relay device for transmission.

The island management device 40 is an information processing device that relays and processes various types of information, and is connected to the table management device 30 and parent island management device 50 via a network, and transmits and receives various types of information between these devices.
The island management device 40 transmits various information to the game hall management device 60 in response to a request from the game hall management device 60 or at predetermined intervals.

The parent island management device 50 is an information processing device that relays and processes various types of information, receives various types of information transmitted from each island management device 40, accumulates or aggregates them as appropriate, and transmits the information to the game hall management device 60. .

The game hall management device 60 is an information processing device that operates according to a program, and is, for example, a hall computer or the like. It manages business management information, etc. necessary for the management of the amusement arcade.

The counting device 70 (70a is a ball counting machine, 70b is a medal counting machine) is a device for counting the game media acquired by the player in the gaming machine 10, and is installed at a plurality of locations (for example, islands of game islands) in the gaming machine 10. end).
Specifically, the counting device 70 is provided with, for example, a card insertion part into which a general card or a membership card (hereinafter also simply referred to as a card) can be inserted, and a card reader for reading predetermined information from the card.
Here, the general card (visitor card, etc.) is a card that stores the balls owned by the player outside the gaming machine 10 and is temporarily lent to the player on the day of the game.
Therefore, the general card stores only the balls in hand, and if the game parlor closes without exchanging the balls in hand, the player cannot pay out or exchange prizes with the stored balls in hand.
On the other hand, a membership card is issued to a player who has registered as a member in advance, and is a card that allows the player to pay out his balls and exchange prizes over a period of several days.
For example, when the membership card is inserted into the card insertion portion of the counting device 70, the card reader reads the member-identifiable information (for example, the membership number) recorded inside the membership card. By associating the read membership number with the counted value, which is the result of counting, and transmitting the counted value to the member management device 80, the counted game media can be deposited in the game parlor.
Therefore, the membership card stores the balls held, and stores the stored balls in the membership management device 80 or the like in association with the membership number or the like without storing the accumulated balls in the membership card itself.
The counting device 70 transmits the counted number of game media and the like to the gaming parlor management device 60 for each issue operation together with information specifying the gaming machine 10 from which the game media related to the counting are obtained.

The member management device 80 is an information processing device that operates under program control, and stores and manages information on members as a member database.
The member database stores information about players, and includes, for example, items such as the number of accumulated balls, member numbers, member names, and personal identification numbers that identify players.
The number of accumulated balls is the number of game media deposited in the game hall without being exchanged for prizes among the game media acquired by the member.
The number of stored balls is associated with the member number and transmitted from the counting device 70 or prize exchange device 90, and when withdrawn during prize exchange or game play, the number is reduced by the withdrawn amount.
In addition, the number of stored balls is managed for each account for each lending rate.
For example, A ball in the account related to the lending rate (4 yen/ball), B ball in the account related to the lending rate (1 yen/ball), C ball in the account related to the lending rate (20 yen/ball), The number of stored balls is stored for each account for each lending rate, such as D balls for the account related to 5 yen/ball).
A member number is a number for identifying a member, and a different member number is assigned to each member.
The member name is the name of the member managed in association with the member number.
The personal identification number is a number for confirming whether or not the person is the member himself/herself.
For example, when a member withdraws his or her accumulated balls for exchanging a prize, the member is made to operate the prize exchanging device 90 and input a personal identification number.
By comparing the entered member number with the member number registered in the member database, it is possible to confirm whether or not the member is a valid member.
Instead of the personal identification number, biometric information that can identify each member (for example, face image, fingerprint, iris, voiceprint) may be stored to perform member confirmation by face authentication or biometric authentication. .

The intercom 85a is a wireless terminal for communication tools.
The game arcade system 1 has a plurality of intercoms 85a, and each employee carries one intercom 85a.
The intercom 85a not only enables hands-free communication using a headset, but also can notify various information from the game hall management device 60, prize exchange device 90, etc., so it is a communication tool for game halls that require immediacy It is suitable as

The remote controller 85b is a small signal transmitter, and is operated by an employee to transmit signals to a call lamp (not shown), the prize exchange device 90, etc. via infrared communication or the like.
Each remote controller 85b is provided with a remote controller ID or the like as unique information.
This remote control ID is recorded in a recording medium such as ROM or RAM provided inside the remote control 85b.

The prize exchange device 90 is a so-called POS terminal that performs a prize exchange process for exchanging game media and accumulated balls obtained through games for prizes.
For example, the quantity of game media is read from a receipt issued by the counting device 70, a general card or a membership card associated with the count result, and the read quantity and the number of prizes corresponding to the prizes that the player wishes to exchange are calculated. They are collated, linked and processed, or the number of prizes is withdrawn from the stored balls.
In the present embodiment, accumulated balls are game media acquired by a player in a game or data indicating the number of such game media, which can be used again in games on the next day or later (time after the store closes). Say.
In addition, balls in hand are game media acquired by a player in a game or data indicating the number of such game media, which can be used again in the game only during the day (time before the store closes).
Therefore, the accumulated balls are normally available only to member players, and are used when the acquired game media are used in the game from the next day onwards, and the balls in hand can be used by both general players and member players. , Used when the game machine used for the game is changed (so-called machine movement).
The configuration of such a prize exchanging device 90 will be described below with reference to FIG.

The gift exchange device 90 includes communication means 91 , storage means 92 , display means 93 , acquisition means 94 , employee operation means 95 , remote control reception means 96 and control means 99 .

The communication means 91 receives, for example, member-related information (count value, number of accumulated balls, etc.) from the member management device 80 via a communication line with the game hall management device 60 and the member management device 80, and transmits the information to the control means 99. .

The storage means 92 is composed of, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, etc., and stores programs for executing various functions of the prize exchange device 90 and information on prize exchange.
Specifically, the information stored in the storage means 92 includes premium information, which is information about premiums, member information, which is information about members, count information read from a recording medium by the acquisition means 94, and time counted by the control means 99. There is time information, etc.
The prize information includes a prize code that uniquely identifies each prize, prize name information that indicates the name of the prize, prize classification information that indicates the category to which each prize belongs (for example, sweets, drinks, and special prizes), There is a number of exchange game media indicating the number of game media required for exchange.
The member information is information for specifying the member, and is information read from the member card by the card reader 94b.
The count information is information indicating the number of game media read from the recording medium.
The time information is information indicating the time clocked by the control means 99, and is information associated with the gift exchange process.

The display means 93 displays on the screen information regarding prize exchange according to the number of game media acquired by the player.
The display means 93 includes an employee-side screen 93a viewed by the employee of the game hall and a player-side screen 93b viewed by the player. The screen 93a is installed so as to face the employee side, and the player side screen 93b faces the player side.
The employee-side screen 93a and the player-side screen 93b are composed of, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display panel or the like, and each item can be selected by touching the displayed information.

Acquisition means 94 acquires predetermined information associated with a recording medium received from a player.
For example, when a player gives a recording medium to an employee at a prize exchange counter, the employee uses the acquisition means 94 to read the count value from the recording medium.
Such acquisition means 94 comprises a ticket reader 94a for acquiring receipt records and a card reader 94b for acquiring card records.

The ticket reader 94a is information acquisition means for reading the count value recorded on the receipt.
The card reader 94b is provided with a card insertion portion into which a general card or a membership card can be inserted. By inserting a general card or a membership card into the card insertion portion, the player can obtain card information (card number, card type, It is information acquisition means for reading the number of balls held, etc.).
The ticket reader 94 a and card reader 94 b then transmit the read card information to the control means 99 .
If the count value or the like is printed on the receipt as a bar code, a bar code reader can be used as the ticket reader 94a.

The employee operation means 95 is used for the input operation of predetermined information by the employee of the game arcade, and can be composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is used to execute various functions of the prize exchange device 90 . Also, input settings of various information can be performed.
Further, the employee operating means 95 can select special prizes and general prizes based on instructions from the player, for example.
In this embodiment, the employee-side screen 93a is configured by a touch panel, so the employee-side screen 93a operates as the employee operating means 95. FIG.

The remote controller receiving means 96 receives signals such as infrared rays and radio waves wirelessly transmitted from a remote controller 85b carried by an employee of the game arcade.
Then, the remote control receiving means 96 transmits the received signal (release signal) to the control means 99 to release the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90, which will be described later.

The control means 99 is composed of a CPU or the like, and reads and executes a program stored in the storage means 92 to control the operation of each component provided in the prize exchange device 90 .
For example, the control means 99 has a calculation function, and performs calculations when exchanging all or part of the acquired game media for prizes.
Specifically, when a signal output when a prize is selected is received, the number of game media that can be exchanged for the prize is subtracted from the number of game media acquired by the player.

By the way, from the viewpoint of labor saving, there is a high need for a self-type prize exchange device 90 (hereinafter also referred to as a self-POS) in which a player himself exchanges prizes. It is operated so that gifts can be exchanged without the involvement of employees.
Also in the prize exchange device 90 of the present embodiment, it is possible to switch to a self POS mode (self mode) in which the player himself exchanges prizes.
Here, the self POS mode is activated by selecting the "self POS" button (switching means) from the setting operation menu on the employee side screen 93a as shown in FIG. A mode in which the prize exchange process is completed after selecting a prize.
For example, if the self-POS mode is set during a period when there is a shortage of manpower, sales can be performed even with a small number of employees, and the manpower shortage can be resolved, and costs such as costs can be suppressed.
Then, when the "self POS" button is selected, a screen indicating that the shift to the self POS mode is being processed is displayed on the employee side screen 93a (see FIG. 3(b)).

The prize exchange device 90 realizes various operations in the self-POS mode by a program that reads out and executes the storage means 92, and this program is composed of codes for performing various operations described below.
The prize exchange flow in the self-POS mode executed by the control unit 65 will be described below with reference to the player-side screen 93b shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG.
Here, a case of exchanging the prize for a special prize will be described as an example.
4 to 6 show examples of screens displayed on the display means 93 (player side screen 93b) by the control means 99, and the player side screen 93b accepts the player's operation.
At the upper right of the player side screen 93b, there is displayed a "call" button for calling an employee when the operation method is unclear or when some kind of trouble occurs.
This "call" button is always displayed on the screen prompting the player to perform some operation, and when selected, the employee's intercom 85a is notified that the prize exchange device 90 is in a call state.

When the self-POS mode is selected and activated, the control means 99 displays a message prompting the player to insert a card on the player side screen 93b.
FIG. 4A shows the TOP screen in the self-POS mode activated by selecting the "self-POS" button from the setting operation menu on the employee-side screen 93a.
On the TOP screen, a screen prompting the player to insert the card to read the information recorded on the card is displayed together with a message such as "Insert a general card or membership card".
Although not described in the message on the screen shown in FIG. 4A, in the self-POS mode, tickets can be used in addition to general cards and membership cards.

When the player follows this and inserts, for example, a "general card" into the card reader 94b of the prize exchange device 90, a screen prompting selection of an account to be exchanged shown in FIG. 4(b) is displayed.
Here, for example, a "4 Yen" button and a "1 Yen" button are displayed together with a message such as "Please select an account for exchange".
A "stop" button is displayed at the bottom left of the player side screen 93b for when the player wishes to stop the processing, and when this "stop" button is selected, the screen returns to the TOP screen.
This point is common to screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which will be described later.
In addition, although a 4-yen account and a 1-yen account are listed as accounts that can be selected by the player, they are not limited to these. It can be mentioned as an account that can be selected.

FIG. 4(c) is a screen after the player selects the 4-yen account as the account to be exchanged, and the "Add" button and the "Next" button are displayed along with the current balls of the 4-yen account. be.
As a result, the player can confirm the current balls held in the 4-yen account.
On this screen, the player selects the "Add" button if there are more cards to be added, and if the player wants to acquire a prize with the displayed balls without adding any cards, press the "Next" button. select.
Then, when the "Add" button is selected, the screen returns to the TOP screen to read the information recorded on the additional card.
On the other hand, when the "next" button is selected, the data to be exchanged is confirmed, and the screen shown in FIG. 5(a) is displayed.

FIG. 5(a) is a screen that displays acquisition guidance for special prizes, and the number of acquisitions that can be selected by the player is, for example, "store all balls" in which the player saves the balls in his possession and finishes the game, or inputs and exchanges by himself. Items such as "specify yourself" for specifying a special prize, "only to win" for obtaining the maximum number of special prizes, and the like are displayed.

On the screen shown in FIG. 5(a), when the player selects the "specify yourself" button and then selects one of each of the large prize, middle prize, and small prize, the screen shown in FIG. 5(b) is displayed. be done.
Further, when the "stored balls" button is selected, the number of stored balls is specified, and then the "complete" button is selected, the final screen showing the quantity of each special prize to be exchanged and the number of stored balls is displayed as shown in FIG. 5(c). After the display, the recording medium is returned, and the selected special prize is paid out, the exchange process ends.
Therefore, the final screen as shown in FIG. 5(c) is displayed on the player side screen 93b, and when the recording medium is removed from the acquiring means 94, that is, the acquiring means 94 cannot read the information recorded on the recording medium. The time is the completion condition of the gift exchange process.
After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the screen returns to the TOP screen, and the player's operation for exchanging prizes is accepted again.
It should be noted that when the player selects the "store all balls" button on the screen shown in FIG. 5(a) or the "store balls" button on the screen shown in FIG. A message or the like prompting the user to insert the membership card is displayed on the screen (not shown), and the general card storing the number of balls in hand is returned.
In this case, the screen on which the general card is returned becomes the final screen, and when the general card is returned and the information recorded on the general card cannot be read by the acquiring means 94, the gift exchange processing is completed.
On the other hand, in the case of a membership card, the balls stored in the membership card are transferred to the stored balls. Possessed balls are automatically transferred to the stored balls at a later predetermined timing.

Also, when the player inserts the "membership card" into the card reader 94b of the prize exchange device 90 on the TOP screen, the screen shifts to the screen shown in FIG. 6(b).
Here, a message such as "Where do you want to start the exchange?" prompting selection of the exchange medium is displayed together with a "balls stored" button and a "balls in possession" button.
On this screen, the player selects the "balls stored" button when adding the counting result to the number of stored balls, and selects the "balls in possession" button when adding the counting result to the number of owned balls.

FIG. 6(c) is a screen displayed when the player selects the "store balls" button.
This screen is a screen for notifying the current number of accumulated balls for each account to the player who wishes to exchange the prize, and for allowing the player to select the account to be exchanged. Point, memo, mark, "stop" button, "determine" button, etc. are displayed.
Then, when the player selects the 4-yen account as the account to be exchanged and then selects the "Confirm" button, the screen shown in FIG. 4(c) is displayed.
When the player selects the "balls in possession" button on the screen shown in FIG. 6(b), the screen shown in FIG. 4(b) is displayed.

Since such a self-service prize exchange device 90 basically does not involve an employee, when a player forgets to remove the recording medium and leaves the prize exchange device 90, the player wants to use the prize exchange device 90. There is a captive that interferes with other players.
In addition, there is a possibility that the player leaves the prize exchange device 90 with the recording medium inserted for the purpose of mischief rather than forgetting to take it. Since it cannot be found unless it is checked frequently, it was not possible to take advantage of the self-service method.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the prize exchange device 90 in the present embodiment is designed so that the processing is not completed even after a certain period of time has passed in order to exchange prizes smoothly while taking advantage of the self-service system. In that case, it was configured to notify the staff of the game hall.
As a result, even if, for example, the player leaves the prize exchange device 90 while the membership card or the like is left in the card reader 94b during the prize exchange process, the employee is notified that the member card or the like has been left unattended. Therefore, the employee can be requested to check the gift exchange device 90 only when necessary.
Incomplete timing processing in the self POS mode will be described below.

[Incomplete timing processing]
In the incomplete timing process, if the prize exchange process has not been completed even after a certain period of time (hereinafter also referred to as a specific period of time) has elapsed since the player inserted the recording medium into the acquisition means 94, a message to that effect (hereinafter referred to as (also called specific information) is notified to employees.
At this time, the control means 99 operates as a timer, measures the time from the reception of the recording medium to the completion of the prize exchange process, and specifies if the prize exchange process has not been completed even after the specified time has elapsed. Executes a specific control that notifies information.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a series of operations in the incomplete timing process.

First, the control means 99 determines whether or not the current processing mode is the "self POS mode" (S10), and if it determines that the current processing mode is the "self POS mode" (S10: Yes). , S11.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the current processing mode is not the "self POS mode" (S10: No), the processing ends.
Next, in the process of S<b>11 , the control unit 99 determines whether or not the acquisition unit 94 has received the recording medium.
The method of receiving the recording medium here may be a contact type in which a magnetic card, an IC card, or the like is in direct contact with the terminal of the acquisition means 94 for communication, or a coil is incorporated inside, such as Felica (registered trademark). It may be a non-contact type in which communication is performed by passing the card, which is stored, through a magnetic field generated by the acquisition means 94 .
Examples of recording media include general cards, membership cards, and receipts.

When the control unit 99 determines that the acquisition unit 94 has received the recording medium (S11: Yes), the control unit 99 functions as a time measurement unit to start measuring time (S12). is not received (S11: Yes), the process is terminated.
The time when the recording medium is received by the acquisition means 94, ie, the timing when the information recorded on the recording medium is read, is the condition for starting timekeeping.
The timing start condition is the time when the recording medium is received by the acquisition means 94, but other conditions such as the time when the player finally operates the prize exchange device 90 may be used.

Next, the control means 99 determines whether or not the prize exchange process has been completed when a specific time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the start of timing (S13).
When the control means 99 determines that the prize exchange process has not ended after the specific time has elapsed (S13: No), it executes notification of specific information (hereinafter also referred to as specific notification) (S14).
On the other hand, when the control means 99 determines that the prize exchange process has ended (S13: Yes), the process ends.

When the control means 99 receives a recording medium such as a card or a ticket associated with the number of game media and the prize exchange process is not completed even after a specific time has passed, the employee's intercom 85a or the like Specific control is executed to notify that effect.
Specifically, to the employee, a message such as "I am being called by the prize exchange device 90 of XX" is reproduced on the intercom 85a, and the player side screen 93b displays the message shown in FIG. 8(b). A message such as "employee is calling" is displayed.
The example shown in FIG. 8 shows the case where the player leaves the prize exchange device 90 during the process shown in FIG. 4(c).
After hearing the message, the employee goes to the gift exchange device 90 and confirms the screen shown in FIG.
As a result, the employee can reliably grasp the current status of the gift exchange device 90 and recognize that the release process must be executed.
In addition, since the player to be used next will not be left in the middle of processing, the player can use the prize exchange device 90 as usual without confusion.

At this time, the control means 99 controls the operation restriction state in which the player's operation input via the touch panel of the display means 93 to the prize exchange device 90 is restricted.
That is, the control means 99 causes the display means 93 to function as a notification means to display the specific information on the display means 93, and also functions as a regulation means, transmits a regulation signal to the display means 93, and inputs through the touch panel. controls the operations performed.

Next, the control means 99 determines whether or not the cancellation process has been accepted (S15). If it is determined that the cancellation process has been accepted (S15: Yes), the specific notification is canceled (S16), and the process ends. do.
On the other hand, when the control means 99 determines that the cancellation process has not been received (S15: No), the process returns to S14.
In this way, the prize exchange device 90 allows the employee to perform a predetermined release process from the player-side screen 93b while the employee is given the specific notification or the screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed. is not performed, control is performed so as not to accept the operation of the prize exchange device 90 by the player.
As a result, unless the employee executes the cancellation process, the gift exchange process is not executed, so it is possible to prevent the process from being executed using another person's recording medium that he/she forgot to remove.
The player-side screen 93b of the prize exchange device 90 that has accepted the cancellation process displays the TOP screen shown in FIG. 4A, and continues to accept operations from the player.

[Release process]
Here, the release processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 .
When the control means 99 determines that the prize exchange process has not been completed after the specific time has elapsed, it controls the operation input by the player via the touch panel of the display means 93 (S20).
The operation restriction on the prize exchange device 90 is released when a predetermined release condition is satisfied.
The release condition is a condition for releasing the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90 .
In this embodiment, there are cancellation conditions for (1) employee card acceptance processing, (2) password input processing, and (3) remote control operation processing. restrictions are lifted.

(1) Employee card reception processing The first release condition is that the employee inserts the employee card in which the employee ID and the like are recorded as employee information into the card reader 94b, and the employee ID and the like are read normally. It is a condition for canceling the operation restriction by being executed (S21).
The control means 99 determines whether or not the read employee ID etc. matches the employee ID etc. previously stored in the storage means 92 .
Then, if the control means 99 matches as a result of the determination, the control means 99 transmits a release signal to the display means 93 to release the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90 (S22).
As described above, the prize exchange device 90 requires that the employee card in which the pre-registered employee ID and the like are recorded is a condition for releasing the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90 .

(2) Password input processing The second release condition is a condition for releasing the operation restriction when the employee enters a password and the entered password matches a pre-stored password (S23).
For inputting the password, for example, software keys for each number displayed on the screen of the touch panel from the player side screen 93b can be used.
When the employee inputs a password via the employee side screen 93a, the control means 99 determines whether or not the entered password matches the password stored in the storage means 92 in advance.
As a result of the determination, if they match, the control means 99 transmits a release signal to the display means 93 to release the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90 (S22).
As described above, the prize exchange device 90 requires that the correct password is input as a condition for releasing the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90 .

(3) Remote control operation processing The third release condition is a condition for releasing the operation restriction when the remote control receiving means 96 receives a release signal or the like transmitted from the remote control 85b (S24).
When an operation requesting release of the operation restriction is performed, the remote control 85b transmits a release signal requesting release processing and the remote control ID stored in the storage unit to the prize exchange device 90 .
When the remote controller receiving means 96 receives a release signal such as an infrared ray or an electric wave from the remote controller 85b carried by the employee of the game arcade, the control means 99 transmits the release signal to the display means 93 and the prize exchange device is activated. 90 is released (S22).
In this way, the prize exchange device 90 uses reception of a cancellation signal or the like transmitted by operating the remote controller 85b carried by the employee as a condition for releasing the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90 .

It should be noted that it may be controlled so that the player can operate the prize exchange device 90 without restricting the operation even while the employee is being notified of the specific notification. The specific notification may be canceled.
Further, the specific notification to the employee is controlled so that the notification to the intercom 85a is continued at predetermined intervals until the restriction on the operation of the gift exchange device 90 is lifted. , even if the operation restriction of the prize exchange device 90 is not lifted, only the specific notification may be ended.
In addition, since the prize exchange device 90 can accept additional recording media, it is controlled so that the number of game media in a plurality of recording media can be added up at the time of exchange. is controlled so that the number of game media in the prize exchange process that is the target of the specific notification cannot be added up.
This is because there is a low possibility that the player who owned the number of game media in the prize exchange process for which the specific notification was made is near the prize exchange device 90, and the player who will use the prize exchange device 90 next. This is because it is considered that there is a high probability that the players are different players. However, it is also possible to add up the number of game media in the prize exchange process that is the target of the specific notification.

As described above, according to the prize exchange device 90 of the present embodiment, if the processing is not completed even after a certain period of time (a specific period of time) has elapsed, the employee can be notified of this fact.
As a result, since the processing is executed with the recording medium left in the prize exchange device 90, it is possible to prevent the processing from being executed using a recording medium such as a card that has been left behind by another person.
In addition, since the manager of the game parlor can request the employee to check the prize exchange device 90 only when necessary, the prize exchange can be performed smoothly while maximizing the merit of labor saving. can be done.
Further, the prize exchange device 90 uses a non-contact reading device for reading the recording medium in order to measure the time from the timing at which the information recorded on the recording medium is read regardless of the contact or non-contact of the recording medium. can be timed in an appropriate manner.
For example, it is possible to control so that time is counted from the timing when the contact of the recording medium is detected by the acquisition means 94. However, in this case, it is necessary to detect the contact of the recording medium. cannot be properly timed.

On the other hand, in the conventional gift exchange device, processing for forgetting to take out a recording medium such as a card is executed when the recording medium is removed, so it is difficult to prevent fraudulent use of someone else's card. .
According to the prize exchange device 90 of the present embodiment, all or part of such problems that conventional prize exchange devices should be solved can be solved.

Although preferred embodiments of the gift exchange device 90 and the gift exchange program of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.
For example, the present invention has been described using an example in which the present invention is applied to the gift exchange device 90 in the self-POS mode, but it may also be applied in a normal mode other than the self-POS mode, in which an employee is involved. In addition to the game media lending machine 20 and the like described above, other devices connectable to the game hall system 1, such as a payment machine (not shown) that reads the balance of cash from a membership card or the like and returns cash to the player according to the operation. can also be applied.
Also, depending on the number of exchange balls, the prize exchange device 90 in the self-POS mode may not be used. No exchange may be performed, and so on.
Also, for example, a recording medium associated with a rate of 4 yen or more can be used, but a recording medium associated with a rate of less than 4 yen is not exchanged for prizes. The exchange device 90 may be disabled.
In addition, the use of the gift exchange device 90 in the self-POS mode is restricted according to the type of recording medium, such as disallowing the use of tickets and general cards, and permitting the use of membership cards. can be
Also, if a situation arises in which the prize exchange device 90 in the self-POS mode cannot be used, it is preferable to use the prize exchange device 90 in the normal mode.
In addition, the employee sets a specific time (for example, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, unlimited) until the specific notification to call the employee is set from the employee side screen 93a or the player side screen 93b. It may be possible to do so.
Also, depending on the number of game media associated with the recording medium, for example, less than "100 balls" is "3 minutes", "100 balls" or more and less than "500 balls" is "5 minutes", and "500 balls" or more. The specific time may be different, such as unlimited if.
Also, only players who are judged to be good players may use the gift exchange device 90 in the self-POS mode.
In this case, for example, the history of the player's exchange of prizes is recorded in association with the face image or membership number, and the player who has successfully exchanged the prize a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times) or more without any problem is identified. It is conceivable that the player is judged to be an excellent player.
Furthermore, regarding membership cards, for example, if the player is a good player, the specific time is lengthened (for example, 5 minutes), if not, the specific time is shortened (for example, 3 minutes). You may make it manage specific time.
Further, when operating a game arcade that uses the prize exchange device 90 in the normal mode and the self-POS mode, switching between the normal mode and the self-POS mode may be performed by remote control.
Further, the specific notification may be canceled by an operation process in the game arcade management device 60. FIG.
As for the number of screens of the display means 93, the present invention assumes that the conventional prize exchange device 90 is adopted. However, for example, the present invention can also be realized with a one-screen gift exchange device 90 (see FIG. 1).
Furthermore, a plurality of (for example, five) screens may be provided for one prize exchange device 90 so that a plurality of (for example, five) persons can exchange prizes at the same time.

1 Game Hall System 10 Game Machine 85a Income 85b Remote Controller 90 Prize Exchange Device 91 Communication Means 92 Storage Means 93 Display Means (Notification Means, Switching Means)
94 acquisition means (information acquisition means)
95 Employee operating means 96 Remote control receiving means 99 Control means (clock means, regulation means)

Claims (7)

A prize exchange device that allows a player to operate a prize exchange process using a recording medium received from the player,
an information acquisition means capable of acquiring predetermined information associated with a recording medium received from a player;
clock means capable of clocking time when predetermined information is acquired by the information acquisition means;
a control means capable of executing specific control for executing notification of specific information when the time measured by the time measuring means reaches a specific time and the prize exchange process is not completed;
A prize exchange device characterized by comprising: The specific control is
2. The prize exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the control is such that information for causing the intercom to notify the specific information is transmitted to the intercom. Equipped with a notification means capable of notifying specific information,
The specific control is
3. The prize exchange device according to claim 1, wherein the control is to cause the notification means to execute specific information. The prize exchange apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising regulation means capable of regulating execution of the prize exchange process when the specific control is executed. The regulatory means are
5. The prize exchanging device according to claim 4, wherein the regulation can be canceled by wireless communication means carried by a game arcade clerk. The prize exchange device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising switching means capable of switching to a self mode in which the prize exchange process can be performed by the player himself/herself. A computer that constitutes a prize exchange device that allows a player to operate a prize exchange process using a recording medium received from a player,
information acquisition means capable of acquiring predetermined information associated with a recording medium received from a player;
When predetermined information is obtained by the information obtaining means, when the time measuring means is capable of measuring time, and when the time measured by the time measuring means reaches a specific time, and when the gift exchange process is not completed , control means capable of executing specific control for executing notification of specific information;
A free gift exchange program characterized by functioning as a

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